Snow shoveling — who is required to do it?

Snow shoveling — who is required to do it?

Winter. Yes, the days are short now. Soon we’ll see (and be shoveling) snow. Will we see white stuff like last year, or the year before?

I get asked questions about snow removal, as a real estate agent. Since they are legal questions, I depend on Attorney Richard Vetstein for accurate legal answers to general legal questions. He keeps an eye on legal changes that affect homeowners. Here is his Frequently Asked Questions about snow removal.

The summary is:

Yes, homeowners are responsible for clearing snow from the public walk in front of the house as well as the walkways to the house.

Yes, homeowners can require that their tenants do the snow removal. This does not remove the landlord from liability. The tenant can also have liability in that case.

How long after the storm is reasonable to expect clear walkways is up for interpretation.

Things I mention to my buyers, in the summer, that are really obvious today:

Corner lots have twice as much sidewalk to shovel.

Hills pose two problems. First it is easier to slip when shoveling downhill. Second it is easier for your car to slip in a hilly driveway or street.

Stairs pose a number of problems.

Clearing snow from steps is slow work. So if you have a lot of steps, you have a lot of work.

There are many ways that a step can become slippery and dangerous. If the steps are pitched downward they encourage the foot to slip down. Yet a little downward pitch is needed for draining water off the top. Too much is hazardous. If the step is higher in the front, water can drain toward the riser and become ice – slippery again.